Jeep crash injures five Whitley County basketball players after practice

Five Whitley County High School boys varsity basketball players were injured Monday night following a single-vehicle crash in Williamsburg, and police say excessive speed was likely a factor.
Seniors Calvin Capps, Jared Roaden and Logan Parrott were injured in the crash, along with sophomore teammates Ben Prewitt and Jermiah Garett. Authorities say Garett and Parrott were airlifted to the University of Tennessee Medical Center following the crash.
All five teens were riding together in a Jeep shortly after a scheduled practice ended at the school. Police say the vehicle crossed a railroad crossing on south Second Street in Williamsburg when the driver, Roaden, lost control. The vehicle struck a ditch, overturned, and landed in a gravel bed near the tracks. The five were apparently on their way to get something to eat when the accident occurred.
“We are just kind of counting our blessings that even though it was serious, it wasn’t more serious,” said Whitley County boys basketball coach Mike Deaton. “It’s just a wonder they weren’t hurt any worse.”
Deaton said it doesn’t appear as though any of the five players were wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident. Three of them were thrown from the vehicle.
Garett was the most seriously injured in the crash. He suffered a broken arm, and a broken rib that punctured one of his lungs. He was listed in stable condition as of press time Tuesday.
Parrott suffered a concussion and a separated shoulder, as well as a broken arm. Deaton said his injuries are compounded by the fact that he suffered two broken arms earlier this fall during a four-wheeler accident.
“I think this broken arm is in the same location where they put a steel plate in for the other one he had,” Deaton said. “It’s unfortunate because he will probably have to go through all of that again.”
Capps, Prewitt and Roaden suffered various cuts, bruises and scrapes, but otherwise avoided serious injuries. The three were transported to Baptist Regional Medical Center for treatment.
Police suspect speed to be the major contributing factor in the accident. Williamsburg Police Patrolman Kenny Shaw is investigating the accident. Members of the Williamsburg Fire and Rescue assisted at the scene.
Though the injuries will likely have a negative effect on the team’s season, Deaton said it’s all secondary to the immediate well-being of his players.
“The first thing is you want to make sure the boys are going to be OK,” he said. “You worry about that other stuff later once you know everyone is gong to be OK.”
Deaton said he isn’t sure of the exact extent of all the injuries or how long it could potentially sideline the players.
Whitley County School Superintendent Lonnie Anderson said he was “appalled” at the news students from the school district were involved in an accident. Emotional wounds are still healing five weeks after two students who attended Whitley County High School, 16-year-old Anthony Wyatt and his 13-year-old sister Brittany Wyatt, were killed while driving on I-75 between Corbin and Williamsburg.
“I began to think the worst thoughts,” he said. “I was relieved to find out that the players’ injuries, although some fairly serious, were not life-threatening.”
“It will be interesting to see what effect it has on the team,” he added. “Hopefully, it will help to pull them together rather than be something that will have a demoralizing impact.”